SPRING HILL FALL/WINTER 2017
The Foley Community Service Center CELEBRATES 25 YEARS
THE SPRING HILL COLLEGE MAGAZINE
ALSO INSIDE
DOWN TO BUSINESS FR. VISCARDI’S JUBILEE FACULTY PROFILE:
ALIA K. NARDINI, PhD
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THIS IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL CAMPUS VISIT! LifeFlight 2, a specialized critical care aeromedical transport helicopter out of Semmes, Alabama, landed on Dorn Field in January 2017 as part of a hands-on learning exercise for students in the Division of Nursing. The paramedic crew and the pilot met with 13 seniors from the division’s Critical Care curriculum as well as other Spring Hill students in the nursing program to discuss their training, day-today nursing operations and give a first responder’s account of triage while in flight.
Visit shc.edu/nursing to view more photos.
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The Career Development Center Using experience to develop a vision for the future.
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Faculty News
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The Foley Community Service Center
Getting Down to Business
A look into Spring Hill’s Division of Business.
Celebrating 25 years of coordinating social justice outreach and community service.
FEATURES
On the cover: Rev. Albert S. Foley, SJ, namesake of the Foley Community Service Center.
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IN THIS ISSUE
SPRING HILL THE SPRING HILL COLLEGE MAGAZINE Fall/Winter 2017
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FROM THE PRESIDENT
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NEWS FROM THE HILL
Rev. Christopher Viscardi, SJ, Celebrates 50 Years of Service
Give Day 2017, gifts and dedications, a Major General visit, Homecoming and other happenings on campus.
A Jesuit’s journey to his Jubilee.
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Faculty Profile: Alia K. Nardini, PhD
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
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ALUMNI NEWS 32 Why I Give
An Italian professor at the Bologna-based SHC Italy Center.
33 Alumni Spotlight on Angele Davis ’90 34 Chapter Updates 36 Alumni Spotlight on Jennifer Scalici, MD ’99 37 Class Notes 39 In Memoriam 40 Alumni Spotlight on Dana Wilder ’17
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BADGER ATHLETICS NCAA update, honors for Sims and SHC Athletics welcome Paesano, Guthrie and Foster.
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IN THEIR WORDS
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VIEW FROM THE HILL
A round of APPLAUSE To the Class of 2017 HONORARY DOCTOR OF SCIENCE AND COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER Arthur J. Tipton, PhD ’80
IGNATIAN AWARDS
Fulfill the ideals of Jesuit education for scholarship, leadership and service – highest student awards bestowed by the College Paige Guillory Schaeffer Lersch
TOOLEN AWARD
Highest grade point average Morgan Davis
EDWARD B. MOODY, SJ, TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD Excellence in teaching
Allyn Schoeffler, PhD, Assistant Professor of Chemistry
REWAK AWARD Jesuit ideal of service
Rodney Bee Manager of Telephone & Electronic Conference Systems
SENIOR CLASS ORATOR
Elected by senior class to give farewell address John-Michael Rogers
Visit shc.edu/graduation to view the photo galleries and all things Commencement 2017.
FROM THE PRESIDENT
SPRING HILL THE SPRING HILL COLLEGE MAGAZINE Fall/Winter 2017
President Christopher P. Puto, PhD ‘64
Executive Editor and Creative Director Laura Burton
Editors Lindsay Mott ‘07 Ashley Rains
Dear Spring Hill College community members, The time has passed so quickly that it is hard to believe this is the start of my third year as president of this College we love so much. As you read this issue of The Spring Hill College Magazine, we will be fast approaching the very special American holiday of Thanksgiving. It is a time when Americans of every faith tradition gather at home, or wherever they may be throughout the world, and pause to give thanks to God for our country’s many blessings. You will see in this issue that we on The Hill have much for which we are thankful. We recognized Mary Lou and John Barter, Elin and Tim Murphy, and Kathryn and John Burke for their lifetime of commitment and generosity to Spring Hill. We are grateful for the gift of Rev. Christopher Viscardi, SJ, as we join in celebrating his 50 years as a Jesuit. We are grateful to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Foley Community Service Center and the more than 27,000 hours of community service provided to Mobile area organizations by our students this past year. And we are grateful for the support from friends and supporters in 2017, including another record level of donations to Give Day. We are beginning our 188th year of forming young men and women to lead lives committed to making our world a better place for all. In just 12 years, we will be celebrating our third century on this beautiful Hill. We will continue to update you on our successes – and any challenges – as we approach this incredible milestone. Finally, we are deeply thankful for everyone who has so generously stepped forward to help us overcome the many challenges we faced as we struggled with the effects of the Great Recession and the BP oil spill disaster. As we begin to emerge from these stresses, what can we here at Spring Hill College do for you – our alumni, friends and supporters? If there are things we can or should be doing, reach out and let us know. We want to be a place where you always feel welcome and at home. In return, I ask that you remain committed to – and proud of – everything our College represents as we strive to fulfill our Jesuit mission. AMDG
Christopher P. Puto, PhD ’64, President Spring Hill College Magazine
Hallet Graham ‘17 Lindsay Mott ‘07 Ashley Rains Cris Smith Jim Stennett
Photography Dan Anderson ‘03 Richard Dollison James Fulcher Seth Laubinger ‘02 Palmer Studios
The Office of Marketing & Communications publishes The Spring Hill College Magazine.
Comments should be addressed to: Spring Hill College Magazine 4000 Dauphin Street Mobile, AL 36608-1791 (251) 380-4000
To update your address or mailing preferences, contact Development and Alumni Relations at (251) 380-2284 or visit shc.edu/profile.
Vice President Development and Alumni Relations Mary McDonald
Interim Director of Alumni Relations Kat McCaghren
Sincerely,
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Contributing Writers
Fall/Winter 2017
News from THE HILL Give Day 2017 Raises more than $236,000 in 24 Hours
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stated, “The outpouring Thank You of support on Give Day has nk warmed my Thaou Y heart more than you can imagine. Each dollar raised is a testament to the outstanding Jesuit educational experience students encounter on The Hill.” He went on to say, “as an alumnus and the President of Spring Hill College, I am deeply proud to be part of this special day with the Badger family.” All gifts received for Give Day support the Spring Hill College Fund, which provides a critical bridge between tuition revenue and the actual costs of running the college. The fund provides support to the operating budget and directly impact students, faculty and numerous programs. Thank You
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Spring Hill THANK College’s third YOU Thank NK annual Give A You TH OU Y Day exceeded THANK YOU its fundraising goals, bringing in gifts totaling more than $236,000 from 795 donors. Give Day 2017, which began at noon on March 9 and concluded 24 hours later on March 10, surpassed its first goal of reaching 450 donors within the event’s first eight hours. The Office of Development and Alumni Relations reported that, of those participating in Give Day 2017, 69 percent were alumni of the College. The college also benefited from the generosity of a significant portion of new supporters, with 20 percent of total participants being first-time donors. President Christopher P. Puto, PhD ‘64,
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NEWS FROM THE HILL
celebrating
Mary Lou and John Barter
Spring Hill College has had the honor of celebrating distinguished alumni Mary Lou ‘70 and John ’68 Barter twice during the past year. Most recently, they were presented with the Ernest T. Stewart Award, the highest accolade for Alumni Volunteer Involvement from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). The Barters were honored in July at the annual CASE Summit for Leaders in Advancement conference in San Francisco. The Barters were nominated by the College for their extraordinary service, having served as trustees, administrators and being Spring Hill’s most significant living donors. They carry a combined 28 years of service as members of the Spring Hill College Board of Trustees, with many of those years dedicated to leadership roles. John served as Chairman of the Board from 1998 to 2002, and Mary Lou has chaired the Advancement Committee and co-chaired the Presidential Search Committee. During John’s acceptance speech, he stated, “The Beacon on The Hill, as we refer to it, has shone for more than 185 years, and it is our prayer that its future will be far longer than its past. While our involvement with Spring Hill has been but a moment in its long history, we hope that we have done something to ensure it will be here for the thousands of students yet to matriculate and to experience its incredible impact.” In October 2016, Spring Hill College formally named the Student Center for Mary Lou and John Barter as a testimony of their stewardship. As a central location where students meet for fellowship, nourishment and service, it seemed most appropriate that this building should bear the names of two alumni who make those activities possible. They are central to the institutional identity of Spring Hill, and their legacy will be everlasting on campus.
Gift establishes new center for the study of free enterprise, entrepreneurship Spring Hill College received a $2 million gift from Kathryn “Murph” and John J. ’63 Burke to fund a new business center – the John J. Burke Jr. Center for the Study and Advancement of Free Enterprise. The Burke Center will be independently housed in the Business Division, offering courses of study in understanding the free enterprise system, entrepreneurship and American business principles for undergraduate students in all of the college’s academic majors. The center’s goal is to educate students on the concepts of free enterprise and the free market system, ultimately empowering them to use their Jesuit education to contribute to a stronger U.S. economy and job growth as well as to improve the lives of others.
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Major General Punaro’s Visit Spring Hill College welcomed author and retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Arnold Punaro ‘68 to campus for two events in April. A reception and book signing was held for alumni and friends of the College where Punaro was the featured speaker, discussing his new book, “On War and Politics: The Battlefield Inside Washington’s Beltway.” Punaro also joined the College as it hosted its second annual Military Appreciation Luncheon the following day. The event honored Spring Hill College alumni, students, parents, faculty and staff and their families who currently serve or are veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Published in October 2016, Punaro’s work presents stories from his personal and public life, including accounts of his days in combat in Vietnam, interactions with leaders such as John McCain, the Clintons, the Presidents Bush and Colin Powell. Punaro also draws lessons from his military, government and industry service to propose solutions to legislative and fiscal problems facing the U.S., especially the military.
A haven where artists, musicians and performers give glory to God Homecoming 2017 was a time of reunion, celebration and remembering those who have gone before us. Perhaps the quintessential event of the weekend was the dedication of the Murphy Fine Arts Center. Named in honor of Carole C. Murphy, mother of Tim Murphy ‘78 and grandmother of Kristie ‘07 and Caitlin ‘12 Murphy, the building is a place where artists, creative thinkers, designers and problem solvers use their talents to enhance the lives of others and the communities they serve. In his dedication of the building, Rev. Greg Lucey, SJ, remarked that “this facility is a spectacular structure on our campus, but it is all the more enchanting inside. It is a haven for artists, musicians and performers alike. It’s a place where students express themselves and give glory to God through their talents.” The celebration was an opportunity for the College community to recognize Elin ‘78 and Tim Murphy’s distinguished philanthropy and express gratitude for all who made the Murphy Fine Arts Center a reality. In honor of the building’s namesake, a piece of Carole Murphy’s art will be permanently displayed in the Center so that all who enter will know her work and legacy.
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NEWS FROM THE HILL
Kavula Wins JASPA Ignatian Medal Billy Kavula, Campus Minister for Liturgy and Music at Spring Hill College, was awarded the Ignatian Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Jesuit Student Affairs Work by the Jesuit Association for Student Personnel Administrators at their annual conference in San Antonio. Kavula was nominated by Spring Hill’s Office of Campus Ministry for the exceptional leadership he has provided on campus and on a national level with the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice. Kavula has served Spring Hill’s Campus Ministry since 2007 and is involved in numerous aspects of campus life.
College HostS Inaugural TedXSpringHillCollege Event in February
litter-ally
Faculty and Staff Serve Community During Ignatian Day of Service
Spring Hill College hosted the first TedxSpringHillCollege event in February. The event’s theme was “Shaping Tomorrow” and eight presenters – including two outside speakers, three Spring Hill students and three Spring Hill faculty – gave their thoughts on how this topic impacts their area of expertise at a live event at the Arlene Mitchell Theatre. Watch the talk at tedxspringhillcollege.com.
Since 2010, Spring Hill College employees have served at various community organizations, such as Little Sisters of the Poor and Ronald McDonald House, to celebrate the Feast of St. Ignatius. With 75 employees participating in the Ignatian Day of Service in July, the day has grown to become one of the best faculty and staff events throughout the year. Employees gathered at McKinney’s at The Hill before and after their respective service projects to share a meal and fellowship. A dedication of the latest installation of The Litter Letter Project was held on campus in April. This interactive art structure was installed in March by students, faculty and staff who share the common goal to unite the Spring Hill College community in regards to recycling and creating awareness for sustaining a cleaner future.
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McDonalD joins Spring Hill College After a national search, Spring Hill College has named Mary McDonald as Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations. McDonald, who joined Spring Hill College’s staff on July 1, 2017, brings 19 years of advancement experience with public and private institutions of all sizes, and most recently served in a similar role at the University of Maryland, College Park. McDonald has extensive experience in soliciting, closing and stewarding gifts and has played an integral role in six comprehensive campaigns. She began her career at a small private liberal arts college and is happy to return to an institution of similar size and mission. “I want to engage our alumni, parents and friends so they know what SHC is doing and how we are educating our students,” McDonald said. “I also want to provide those same people with the opportunity to make an impact on the students studying here through philanthropy.”
Mossa takes on new role Spring Hill College has named Rev. Mark Mossa, SJ, as the Director of Campus Ministry. Mossa came to Spring Hill in July 2016 as Campus Minister for Spirituality and Faith Formation. Previous to his tenure here, Mossa spent several years studying and teaching Theology at Fordham University in New York as well as participating in their Campus Ministry program. He sees his role as director in three parts: as “chaplain” to the entire college community, as a student advocate and as an ambassador for the work of the Campus Ministry team. “My greatest hope is that Campus Ministry not be seen merely as a destination — an office you can go to, a retreat or program that you can attend,” Mossa said. “Instead, I want students to know that Campus Ministry are the people who show up for them, meet them where they are, enter into the reality of their lives, no matter how wonderful or how gritty, and are available to them 24/7.”
farewell, but not goodbye ‹ Maureen Bergan
‹ Ola Fox, DNS, CNL
Director of Campus Ministry, Rev. Bobby Rimes, SJ Center for Campus Ministry Years at Spring Hill: 19
› Dottie Barnett
Divisional Secretary, Languages and Literature Years at Spring Hill: 24
Associate Professor Emerita, Graduate Program Director, Nursing Years at Spring Hill: 12
› Cheryl Kirkland
Assistant to the Provost for Academic Administration, Academic Affairs Years at Spring Hill: 24
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NEWS FROM THE HILL
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Homecoming on The Hill 2017
Beautiful weather and familiar faces welcomed Badgers back to The Hill with more than 550 alumni, family and friends attending Homecoming on The Hill 2017. On Friday, March 31, 2017, the weekend began with the annual Seniors with Seniors Lunch at Stewartfield. Members of the class of 1967 joined graduating seniors from the class of 2017 for shrimp and grits and fellowship. As always, priceless stories, memories and many laughs were shared. As the afternoon continued, alumni enjoyed Mass, socials and campus tours. Before dinner, faculty, staff and alumni gathered for the honoring of the Murphy family and the dedication of the Murphy Fine Arts Center. At dusk, the annual Badger Bay Boil was held under beautiful string lights on Library Field. Attendees enjoyed local seafood, great music and beach volleyball games. On Saturday, the fun continued with early morning tee times and a new event, Brunch at Stewartfield. Throughout the day, Badgers had a chance to attend plenty of sporting events, including softball, rugby and basketball scrimmages. The Carnival at Murray Field was the place to be with local food trucks, carnival games and balloon animals for Badgers of all ages. A special Commemorative Commencement was held for the class of 1967 who were unable to walk down the Avenue of the Oaks to have their degrees conferred due to rain. On Saturday, April 1, 2017, the sun was shining and the class was finally able to enjoy a graduation ceremony, complete with diplomas. After the commencement, the class gathered in Byrne Memorial Hall to celebrate their 50th reunion at the Golden Badger Dinner. Saturday evening, the celebrations continued in the Barter Student Center as alumni joined for a casual night of festive fare, live music and dancing at the Badger Ball. On Sunday, guests gathered with the Jesuits at Einstein’s for coffee and doughnuts before attending Mass at St. Joseph Chapel. Mark your calendars for April 13-15, 2018, for Homecoming on The Hill 2018.
Visit shc.edu/alumniphotos to view photos from Homecoming on The Hill 2017.
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FACULTY NEWS
NEW ADDITIONS
presented “Synthetic Naturals: Visual Metaphors for Climate Change,” at Commitment to Justice in Jesuit Higher Education in Washington.
t Spring Hill College is pleased to have welcomed the following, new full-time faculty for the 2017-18 academic year: Henrietta Brown, DNP (Nursing), Yuriy Bulka, PhD (Mathematics), Marie Escalante, PhD (Foreign Languages), Kenneth Moss, PhD (History) and Nicholas Wood, PhD (History).
BUSINESS
t Nicole Larriviere is serving as the faculty sponsor for the new Business Club. > For more about Nicole, turn to page 23. Anindya Biswas, PhD, will present a paper titled “Public Subsidy on Education and Welfare in Small OECD Countries: A Theoretical and Empirical Reconciliation” at the Southern Economic Association Conference. He will also serve as a chair in a Pedagogy Session, “Predictors for Student Success and Effort in College.”
COMMUNICATIONS, FINE & PERFORMING ARTS
t Sharee Broussard, APR, PhD, presented “Measuring Social Impact” at the South Alabama Nonprofit Summit and began the Ignatian Colleagues Program Cohort 10. Wanda Sullivan, Director of the Eichold Gallery, has paintings in the 2017 Wichita National All-Media Exhibition at Mark Arts at the Mary R. Koch Arts Center in Kansas and the Art at the X-National Juried Exhibition at Xavier University. She also
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Rachael Hatley’s “Litter Letter” project is now in Australia and Bristol, England. > For more about Rachel’s work, see page 10.
EDUCATION
t April Sanders, PhD, had a book chapter published in “Fostering Reflective Teaching Practice in Pre-Service Education,“ a peer-review book. Her chapter is “Pre-Service Teachers’ Self-Reflection Practices when Integrating Educational Technology in the Classroom” (chapter 14).
LANGUAGE & LITERATURE
t “Sigma Sums,” a story written by Michael Piafsky, PhD, Director of the Writing Program, was awarded an honorable mention in the Glimmer Train Very Short Story Fiction Award. Stephanie Balmori’s poem, “Broken from the Body,” was accepted for publication in Bellum, a literary magazine.
PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY
t Matthew Bagot, PhD, has a chapter in the book “Public Theology and the Global Common Good: The Contribution of David Hollenbach, SJ,” which was awarded first place at the Catholic Press Association. He presented “Another Vision of Integral Development: Luigi Sturzo on Human Personality, the International Community and a Pluralistic World” at the Catholic Social Tradition Conference at the University of Notre Dame in March, and
presented “When Persons Fail to Flourish: Christian Smith and Luigi Sturzo on the Personal and Social-Structural Roots of the Evil of War” at Societas Ethica’s 54th Annual Conference in Greece in August. He also presented “The Dignity of the Human Person: Catholic and Islamic approaches to Human Rights” at The Social Practice of Human Rights: Charting the Frontiers of Research and Advocacy Conference at the University of Dayton Human Rights Center in November. John Switzer, PhD, has been appointed inaugural editor of the Journal of the Society of Scholar Priests (JSSP).
George Gilmore, PhD, co-chaired the Systematic Theology section and co-presented “Africa & America: Former European Colonies Face Eurocentrism” for the Philosophy of Religion section of The College Theology Society’s Annual Convention in Rhode Island in June 2017. Daniel Massey, PhD, General Studies Program Director, will serve as President of the Alabama Philosophical Society, while Chelsea Haramia, PhD, will serve as treasurer. Tom Metcalf, PhD, presented “Gun Violence as a Negative Externality of Gun Production” at the conference of the Alabama Philosophical Society. His article, “Ontological Parsimony, Erosion, and Conservatism” was published in the journal, Metaphilosophy, and a second article, “On Godel’s Ontological Argument,” was published in the journal, Inference.
SOCIAL SCIENCES
the Society of Historians of the Early American Republic. His article, “A ‘Class of Citizens’: The Earliest Black Petitioners to Congress and Their Quaker Allies,” appeared in the January issue of the William and Mary Quarterly. An article which he co-authored, “‘To Friends and All Whom It May Concerne’: William Southeby’s Rediscovered 1696 Antislavery Protest,” appeared in the Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography in April. His essay, “The Missouri Crisis and the ‘Changed Object’ of the American Colonization Society,” was included in the book “New Directions in the Study of African American Recolonization.” Jamie Franco-Zamudio, PhD, has worked with the Empowering Change Mobile committee to “strengthen community connections” and developed Inclusion Workshop materials with a colleague at the University of South Alabama. She facilitated a workshop on conflict resolution during the Focus Women’s Conference in September. Demetrius Semien, PhD, hosted the inaugural Neighbor Center Luncheon that featured former U.S. Attorney Kenyen Brown and the TEDxSpringHillCollege talk he produced with student Julie Dobbs ‘19. He also served as Convener of the Trialogue event in September. Kenneth Moss, PhD, presented a paper titled “PIPSA and the Failure of Economic Nationalization during Cárdenas Administration,” at the Rocky Mountain Council for Latin American Studies. Tom Ward, PhD, Chair of the Department of History, had his book, “Out in the Rural: A Mississippi Health Center and its War on Poverty,” published by Oxford Press.
t Nicholas Wood, PhD, presented a paper about Quaker antislavery at the annual meeting of
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Mikail Parkinson ‘19 (left) served as an intern at Catholic Social Services for the Mobile Refugee Resettlement Program. This photo was taken at the home of a recently arrived family from the war-torn nation of the Congo. The resettlement program, the only such program in Alabama, has settled thousands of refugees since 1975. The Foley Center provided three student interns to their program last spring, in addition to volunteers who assist other Catholic Social Services ministries.
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TEACHING COMMUNITY-ENGAGED LEARNING FOR 25 YEARS BY ASHLEY RAINS
PHOTOS BY DAN ANDERSON ‘03, JAMES FULCHER AND SETH LAUBINGER ‘02
“People are our textbooks” was a favorite and frequent phrase heard from Rev. Albert S. Foley, SJ, who positively altered Spring Hill College history from the time he first arrived on campus in the late 1930s. The Foley Community Service Center, which bears his name, is celebrating 25 years of coordinating social justice outreach and community service in the Mobile area community. The Foley Community Service Center, formally dedicated in 1992 by then-President Rev. William J. Rewak, SJ, seeks to realize the mission of Spring Hill College, which is forming leaders engaged in learning, faith, justice and service for life. Through the Center, students engage with more than 50 community partners to provide services that range from tutoring to care for senior adults and those with special needs to adult education in GED or English as a second language (ESL) training. During the 2016-17 academic year, 556 Spring Hill students completed more
than 27,000 hours of service work through the Foley Center. Foley was ahead of his time in his educational approach to service learning. He believed in community-engaged learning, that is, students’ formation of attitudes, beliefs and skills develop through authentic interactions with others. His method for getting to know someone who was different than himself was to work to see the world from their perspective. In the 1940s, Foley was assigned to teach a class called “Migration, Immigration and Race,” whose readings, discus-
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Rev. Albert S. Foley, SJ
Namesake of the Foley Community Service Center
Kathleen Orange, PhD
Director (1992-2016), Foley Community Service Center
Erik Goldschmidt, PhD
Director, Foley Community Service Center
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sions and debates moved him to take a more active role in relation to segregation in the United States. In her thesis, “The Tragedy of the White Moderate: Father Albert Foley and Alabama Civil Rights, 1963-1967,” Carol Ellis writes, “From that time forward, no matter what province Foley’s superiors assigned him, he founded and joined organizations dedicated to educating others about working towards racial tolerance.” After leaving to study for and finish his doctorate in Sociology, Foley returned to Spring Hill College in 1953 to teach coursework in that field. He became the Chairman of both the Mobile chapter of the Alabama Council on Human Relations, which he helped found and would later serve as President, and the Alabama Advisory Committee to the United States Civil Rights Commission. In this capacity, Foley authored ordinances for Mobile, which would be adopted into law. These laws banned law enforcement officers from Ku Klux Klan membership and made “Intimidation by Exhibit,” or cross-burning, illegal. Foley maintained a respectful relationship with Martin Luther King Jr. who, along with Rev. Ralph Abernathy, called Foley to the platform to sit with them during a mass meeting at 16th Street Baptist Church just a few months before its infamous bombing. Foley went on to conduct race relations workshops for teachers, law enforcement and civic and business leaders through the Job Partnership Training Act. He continued those efforts in his classroom and on campus, founding the Human Relations Center in Murray Hall. In December 1990, Foley died of a stroke and was buried on campus in the Jesuit Cemetery. Rewak, who had a strong interest in community involvement on the part of colleges and universities, asked Kathleen Orange, PhD, Professor of Political Science and Law, to develop a program to carry on the thrust of Foley’s work. In 1992, Orange introduced the Foley Community Service Center to the community and Spring Hill students began leaving their mark as men and women in service of others. Orange is largely credited with developing service learning as part of the Jesuit education a Spring Hill College student receives during his or her tenure. “Service learning integrates service to the community with classroom learning in such a way that the needs of the community are met and the course content is brought alive by experience in the community,” she said. “It should make students more aware of the needs of their community, their ability to serve them and the way in which their academic learning enriches their understanding of the
Above: Travis Cummings ‘17 (far right) instructed students from Blount High School about journalism and communications. This class was part of the College Exposure Day program in which the Foley Center brought local middle and high school students to campus for a day of academic enrichment and mentoring activities. Below: Arielle Joseph ‘18 (left) assisted at the L’Arche Mobile annual retreat held at Stewartfield. L’Arche is an international organization that provides homes and workplaces where people with and without intellectual disabilities live and work together as peers in inclusive communities of faith and friendship. Foley Center students volunteer weekly in the L’Arche Activities Center as well as in homes, assisting with meals, prayer and other routines.
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actual world in which they live.” During the Center’s development, Orange created partnerships with Mobile nonprofit agencies in areas such as after-school programs, tutoring and mentoring, elderly care, special needs and health services. She says it has always been a top priority that students have direct, regular contact with the clients or students each agency serves. “Our students become committed to service because they come to care deeply about the people they serve. That happens when they come to work with them on a sustained basis.” Joanna Buscemi ’05, a Psychology and Hispanic Studies double major, was naturally drawn to the ESL program at the Foley Center. “Now that I’m a psychologist, researcher and professor at DePaul University, I realize that these initial experiences teaching ESL at SHC cemented my desire to pursue a career in academia and a research career focused on reducing health disparities among the underserved.” In 2016, Orange retired as the founding director of the Foley Center, having formed the outcomes of more than 2,000 students – 80 to 100 per year – during her term. Erik Goldschmidt, PhD, has served as Director of the Center since Orange’s return to the classroom. Goldschmidt came to Spring Hill from Boston College, where he was director of The Church in the 21st Century (C21) Center, a catalyst and resource for the renewal of the Catholic Church in the U.S. Today, the goals of the Foley Center are to support the formation of students as leaders of justice and service through direct and sustained service, to assist faculty with integrating service learning into their courses and to optimize support for local nonprofit service providers. “Our Jesuit, Catholic mission compels us to meet people on the margins in a spirit of solidarity,” says Goldschmidt. “This is what makes for a truly transformative education.” For years to come, Spring Hill College students will continue to have their lives shaped by their work through the Foley Center thanks to a priest who was ahead of his time in advocating for service learning, who was not afraid to challenge the status quo and who found transformative motivation in the ability to read people.
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Michaela Mcleod ‘20 (left) has taught ESL classes on Monday and Thursday evenings for the past two years.
ESL AT THE FOLEY CENTER “Bienvenido,” “Chào mừng” or “Hoşgeldiniz” may be more familiar, but for Mobile area adults learning English as a second language (ESL) through the Foley Community Service Center, a student-volunteer’s smile translates to “Welcome” as they enter the classroom. Each year, more than 100 adults, many alongside their family members, take advantage of the Foley Center’s weekly ESL program taught and led on campus by Spring Hill College students. The Spring Hill students teach in teams on a variety of levels – ranging from beginner to conversational English – depending on an ESL student’s foundation when they come to the Center. While the majority of ESL students natively speak Spanish, many are from areas such as southeast Asia, the Ukraine or the Middle East. For $5 per year, they receive not only instruction, but compassion from their Spring Hill student-instructors. Since families often receive instruction together, the Foley Center provides babysitting services during classroom instruction and mentoring and tutoring to older children who either have a firm grasp on the English language or speak English exclusively. Depending on need, there is often instruction given in Citizenship for those going through the application process to become a U.S. citizen.
Using Experience to Develop a Vision for the Future BY LINDSAY MOTT ‘07 PHOTO BY SETH LAUBINGER ‘02
With the arrival of Jeremy Moore two and a half years ago as Director of Career Development, Spring Hill College has greatly enhanced career opportunities for its students. In keeping with the Jesuit tradition of excellence in education and the emphasis of enhancing learning through experience, Moore has opened many doors for Spring Hill students through internships that facilitate long-term relationships with employers. This, in turn, creates more job opportunities for Spring Hill College students. “Our Pathways to Purpose program provides students the mental framework and campus resources to explore who they are in the context of academics, careers and service to one’s community,” said Moore. “Internships, part-time work and volunteer opportunities are all valuable in helping students develop a vision for their future.” Moore provides resources for Spring Hill College students to discover internship opportunities and prepares them to apply for and succeed in these roles. According to Moore, a 2016 survey suggests that approximately 79 percent of Spring Hill students complete internships. According to a National Association of Colleges & Employers survey, nine out of 10 times, employers will hire an experienced candidate over one with a better degree and GPA. Through alumni and other connections, Badgers are known to work at companies such as Hershey’s,
Jeremy Moore, Director of Career Development, and Kim Novak ‘18 review the MBTI® instrument. Novak is graduating with a degree in Psychology and will continue her studies to obtain a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy.
Ford, Coca-Cola, Facebook, Disney and more. Most recently, Spring Hill students have benefited from connections with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Mobile Circuit Court, Enterprise Holdings and the University of South Alabama (USA) Children’s and Women’s Hospital. “Our relationship with USA is significant in that the healthcare sector is expected to grow and comprise nearly a quarter of the labor market by 2025,” Moore said. Besides finding internships, Moore also brings recruiters to campus from a variety of companies. These networking events give students a chance to see available jobs and strengthen networking skills. Moore’s office has also developed a list of 65 companies that are known for diversity and inclusion; next he plans to determine if Spring Hill has any connections at these companies. Since coming to Spring Hill College, Moore said his goal has been to make the Office of Career Development more accessible to students and help them assess their career readiness. Moving forward, he is focused on reaching more students. “Ideally, all of our students will graduate with experience and a plan. We’re here to help them find freedom to live the lives they envision for themselves. There’s a lot of action required — reflecting upon experience, pursuing resources and in-depth conversations — that make up that process,” he said.
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GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS In the summer of 2015, the Spring Hill College Division of Business was in a state of flux and, as the new Division Chair, James Larriviere, PhD, wanted to grow the program in a way that would benefit students the most. Based
on questions from parents and where business education is headed, the team added a role focused on internships as well as classes and programs geared toward career readiness to better prepare their graduates.
BY LINDSAY MOTT ‘07 PHOTOS BY SETH LAUBINGER ‘02
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From left: John Eads, Instructor; Sam Khoury, PhD, Assistant Professor; Jennifer Nevins Henson, PhD, Associate Professor; Nicole Larriviere, Instructor and Internship Coordinator; Lauren Rich, Assistant Professor; and Mark Foster, Instructor, have either joined the Division of Business or taken on expanded roles since fall 2015.
Also at that time, the campus began to focus on vocational discernment and Larriviere knew they were headed in the right direction. “With what was going on here in the college community with Pathways to Purpose, it was ideal,” he said. Now, the division offers three steps that begin sophomore year and build on each other through junior and senior years. Business Communications comes first, then Pre-Professional Development and then, ideally, an internship for one to three hours of elective credit. To facilitate these internships, Nicole Larriviere, Division of Business Internship Coordinator and Instructor, serves as an academic advisor to students. Nicole, who happens to be married to James, seeks out opportunities through networking and community relationships and has helped streamline the internship process. She helps students find, obtain and succeed in these roles. Having someone in this capacity has increased the number of internships for the division – 15 students earned academic credit in spring 2017, which is the largest number of students to date. “When you start looking at what other colleges are doing, that’s one of the things that is getting more important, and we want our students to stay competitive,” Nicole said. Another piece of career training is Business Strategy and Policy, which serves as the senior seminar for business students. In this course, students use an online business simulation program during which they face real-world issues and have to make decisions to keep the business profitable. The simulation concludes with student group presentations to a “Board of Directors” comprised of Business Division faculty. Alumni are also key to the career readiness program. Alums communicate job and internship opportunities to the division and business faculty invite them
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to speak to classes. They share insights on their career paths, current roles, hiring practices, how the Jesuit education plays into their daily work and more. “Our alumni inspire our current students to go out and do great things in the world,” Nicole said. Another new feature of the Business Division is the Healthcare Management concentration that became available in fall 2016. In the first year, they had approximately seven majors in this field, and James sees the curriculum as an asset to the division. He said this concentration is a great option for students who do not pursue medicine and are looking for another path in the healthcare industry. He emphasized that experiential learning and internship experience are key in the healthcare field, so the career readiness piece is essential for this program. Moving forward, the division expects to increase the number of internships students participate in and to add programs that emphasize career readiness and career discernment – whatever will make their graduates most successful. “It’s going to evolve. Times change, students change, opportunities change, so we just have to be able to move with that and kind of hit that moving target,” James said.
The Division of Business received a gift to open the John J. Burke Jr. Center for the Study and Advancement of Free Enterprise to harness the entrepreneurial spirit of students across the Spring Hill campus. To learn more, see page 8.
Revitalized MBA Program Launches Fall 2017 Another new feature of the Division of Business is the Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Logistics and Supply Chain Management that launched in fall 2017. Logistics and computer science expert Sam Khoury, PhD, serves as Director of the new program, which launched with 38 students. Drawing upon Spring Hill’s tradition of and commitment to forming tomorrow’s responsible leaders, course content for the program incorporates the study of business ethics and corporate social responsibility. Additionally, case studies explore the application of ethics to activities within complex organizations. The MBA program provides maximum flexibility to fit the needs of business professionals. Students may choose a one- or two-year path to completion. Admission requirements also allow for those with a minimum of three years of work experience to apply without a GMAT or GRE score. “The business faculty for this program are actively engaged in research and consulting — we are not just academically engaged; we are practically engaged in the field. And, we are familiar with the need for busy professionals to receive quick and precise feedback — particularly in the online environment,” said James Larriviere, PhD, Chair of the Division of Business. The revitalized MBA program, focusing on logistics, came about from a consultation with Bonnie Kelly, the Education Officer for the local United States
Coast Guard training base. According to George Sims, Spring Hill College Provost, this is a program that is well aligned with the training of Coast Guard officers. Bill Turncliff, who graduated from Spring Hill in 2006, has worked in logistics for more than 10 years and said the flexibility of the new MBA program allowed him to apply for the fall 2017 semester. “This industry is becoming more competitive every day. Continued learning will help you distinguish yourself from these competitors,” he said. “I am enthusiastic about the opportunities for advancement this new program will provide to current and future business professionals who seek a unique experience in higher learning,” remarked Spring Hill College President and expert in business, consumer behavior research and marketing, Christopher P. Puto, PhD ‘64. Before becoming president of the college, Puto served as Dean and Opus Distinguished Chair in the Opus College of Business at the University of St. Thomas. While there, he designed the university’s first full-time MBA program and redesigned their evening MBA program. Before St. Thomas, Puto served as Professor of Marketing and Dean of the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University.
Visit shc.edu/MBA for more information about the MBA program at Spring Hill.
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A Jesuit’s Jubilee: Celebrating 50 Years of Service BY LINDSAY MOTT ‘07
On Sept. 2, 2017, Rev. Christopher Viscardi, SJ, celebrated 50 years as a member of the Society of Jesus. The official Jubilee Mass was held on May 20 in New Orleans with four of his classmates who entered the Jesuit Novitiate in Grand Coteau, Louisiana, in 1967. He came to Spring Hill College almost 40 years ago and has become a cornerstone of the Theology Department, ministering to students and the Mobile community alike. Viscardi’s journey as a Jesuit began in 1967 when he graduated from the University of Texas in Austin with a liberal arts degree. He had been considering a vocation with a religious order but did not feel called to be a parish priest. “What I liked about the Jesuits was the variety – there were Jesuits in astronomy and in sociology and in law and different things, and they were all around the world,” he said. By the end of the first year of his two-year novitiate, he knew he had made the right choice. After taking his vows, he spent time studying and teaching in St. Louis and New Orleans before heading to Rome to complete doctoral work in Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University. He then received his first, and what he called his lifetime, assignment: Spring Hill College. He came to The Hill in December 1978 and began teaching the next month. He thought he would be at Spring Hill for only a few years, but now it has been close to 40. He said this is somewhat unusual for a Jesuit assignment, but not uncommon for a Jesuit working in higher education. Since then, his main focus has been on teaching Theology. He earned tenure and became Division Chair for Philosophy and Theology and Department Chair for Theology. He currently serves on the Spring Hill College Board of Trustees and has done so for many terms. In 1983, he began ministering regularly to Hispanic immigrants, which became a secondary, but equally important, ministry to his role at Spring Hill. He no longer serves as the Archdiocesan Director of the Hispanic Minis-
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Q&A with Rev. Christopher Viscardi, SJ
Q: What has been your greatest personal takeaway from the Jesuit lifestyle? A: A big personal takeaway is seeing much more clearly how each one of us, including myself, is just part of a bigger whole, and part of all humanity. We are deeply connected to one another, and that is part of God’s plan. We’re one part of a larger picture, and there’s so much more going on, both within ourselves and outside of ourselves, than we realize. Coming to recognize that
and appreciate that is a great blessing. And just the mystery and the wonder of being human and being a person, and that we’re really a part of something much, much greater than just ourselves. Q: What do you see as the greatest impact or legacy of the Jesuits? A: Pope Benedict said that the mission of the Jesuits is to be on the frontiers and to connect the Church to the world and the world to the Church. That kind of openness, while also being firmly rooted in tradition, I think that’s what the Jesuits have offered for almost 500 years now: that sense of bringing Christian faith into a real connection with the modern world, that openness to finding God in all things, and to discernment, that Christianity is bigger than just the rules and laws and the different teachings. It’s something much bigger than that, and there’s this whole mission to the transformation of the world in the values of Christ. Q: What is the most important idea or lesson you try to impart to your students? A: In general, I would say a couple of things. One is to move beyond black and white think-
try, but continues his weekly involvement in Spanish Masses and pastoral work. After almost 40 years on The Hill, Viscardi has gotten to the point where he is teaching, and even performing marriages for, children of former students. “Staying connected with people at different points has been very rewarding and enriching and had a big impact on my own life as well,” he said.
ing — it’s either this or that — to recognizing the complexity of the world and the limitations of the human mind. And then, moving beyond that into this greater complexity is one of the major challenges of a good education. Then the second thing, another way of saying this maybe, is recognizing the mystery of life and of ourselves — that life, the world and each one of us is a mystery in God and that the mystery of God surrounds us all in ways we can never completely understand or explain but that can give us a great sense of security or a sense of confidence and hope in the future and in the present, so we don’t always live in a kind of anxiety about what’s going to happen next. Q: Anything else to add? A: There are several particular individuals or movements in recent history and past history that stand out that give a kind of a model and inspiration to the rest of us as Jesuits and help open our minds and our horizons. And that’s been one of the benefits for me during 50 years as a Jesuit, being part of that whole family, in which particular thinkers or activists help open up new perspectives and new ways of thinking and generate a certain kind of inspiration.
When joining the Jesuits 50 years ago, Viscardi was not sure where it would lead. “I did not have sort of the dream of becoming a teacher. I liked the Jesuit vision and the Jesuit mission, and, however that worked out, I just kind of left that in the hands of God.” His path may have been different than he expected, but he said, if given the choice, he would definitely take it again.
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FACULTY PROFILE
EUROPE’S DOORSTEP: COLLEGE INTERNS COME FACE-TO-FACE WITH THE MIGRANT CRISIS Alia K. Nardini, PhD, is an Italian Professor who teaches Political Science and International Relations at the Bologna-based Spring Hill College Italy Center, where she also directs the internship program. This past summer, she arranged for five former study-abroad students to serve on the front lines of the migrant crisis. The following is an excerpt of an article Nardini wrote about the internship experience. EDITED BY ASHLEY RAINS Summer in Italy signals an exodus of Italians flocking to the beaches for pleasure while, further south, human traffickers work overtime taking advantage of calm seas to smuggle migrants to coastal destinations. The number of people fleeing Libya, which is 185 miles south of Italy, continues to grow – as of mid-summer more than 70,000 have arrived in Italy, a 28 percent increase from the same period last summer. It is anticipated that, once again, more than one million refugees and migrants will cross over into Europe this year. Our summer interns are Graziella Ioele (Saint Joseph’s University ‘15), Dana Wilder (Spring Hill College ‘17), Astrea Somarriba (University of San Francisco ‘15), Micah Pfotenhauer (Saint Louis University ‘18) and Alessandra Testa (The College of New Jersey ‘17). They are at different points in their lives, studied different disciplines and have different personalities and passions. They all want to pursue different careers, but a common denominator is that the group came prepared, having studied the migrant crisis from various academic backgrounds and perspectives. As I write this, these American interns stand on a jetty in Brindisi, a modest-sized port city in Puglia, alongside various agencies that are prepared to welcome more than 500 asylum-seekers. The group’s supervisor, Ioele, has briefed them on this emergency landing, providing political and practical background. More than 13,500 people have landed in Italy in the past 48 hours, and these young women will be the first nonmilitary contact for many who were rescued at sea by a U.K. Royal Navy ship on an anti-migrant smuggling operation. Pope Francis has repeatedly insisted that we have a duty to help those fleeing from poverty and war, something that the people of Puglia have modeled in their humble ways for decades. The “refugee crisis,” as it is
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D
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A. Guests at the CARA engaging in a creative writing project run by SHC Italy Center students. B. Spring Hill College Italy Center summer interns. Left to right: Alessandra Testa, The College of New Jersey ’17; Graziella Loele, Saint Joseph’s University ‘15; Astrea Somarriba, University of San Francisco ‘15; Dana Wilder, Spring Hill College ‘17; and Micah Pfotenhauer, Saint Louis University ‘18. C. and F. A soccer game at the Asylum Seekers’ Reception Center in Brindisi. D. Alia K. Nardini, PhD. E. and G. Migrants at Brindisi Jetty after being rescued at sea by Operation Sophia.
B
now known, began in Brindisi in 1991, when the coastal town witnessed – unexpectedly and overnight – the arrival of 27,000 Albanians escaping their communist dictatorship. Since then, the city has welcomed refugees and economic migrants. Brindisi has hence been on the forefront of the immigration fluxes that Europe has experienced in the last decades. As a whole, the interns have taken on an informal methodology anchored in the notion of “radical compassion.” That is, not demonizing people based on the labels that some locals, aid providers or media have produced, while simultaneously being aware of one’s surroundings and the politics at play in this crisis. Our interns continue to shadow professionals in the Asylum Seekers’ Reception Center and are learning the legal, psychological, cultural, medical and linguistic basics of the refugee welcome process. They have been running art therapy and poetry projects for asylum-seekers who are waiting indefinitely for a local commission to decide their destiny. They have also been working at the Catholic agency Caritas, spending time with women and children who are under international protection and are trying to start a new life in Italy. At Caritas, the interns are learning to cook Italian meals for the poor – Italians and migrants alike – and are breaking down the inevitable barriers that arise between those in need and those who give aid. Brindisi has become a second home to these women, one that has changed them deeply and that they will carry in their hearts forever. But I also believe that the city of Brindisi will be changed by them – that it will become a little more international, a little more aware, a little more capable of seeing how incredible its own strengths are. The world needs to know what is happening here.
The full text article can be found on Association of Jesuit Colleges & Universities’ blog, medium.com/jesuit-educated. www.shc.edu
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
Purple and White, BY LINDSAY MOTT ‘07
A collaboration between a faculty member and a student culminated in the birth of Spring Hill College’s “Purple and White” fight song in 1930. Today, almost 90 years later, a version of the original fight song is still used on campus. Originally from Chicago, James Horace Hynes, also known as Jimmy, excelled at scholastics and impersonations while serving as a member of numerous organizations including the Alpha Delta Gamma fraternity, student council, the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Poetry Society, the Springhillian staff and
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the cheer squad during his undergraduate studies at Spring Hill College. Music was also a central part of Hynes’ life on The Hill. Playing both the clarinet and piano by ear, he participated in the orchestra on campus under the direction of Rev. C.C. Chapman, SJ. Working together, he and Hynes composed “Purple and White,” which was first played at the football dance on Thanksgiving night in 1930 and became the fight song for the school. The song, copyrighted in 1931, was used to celebrate victories for championships in golf,
We’re Goin’ to Fight
tennis, football and baseball. And in that same year, college music, including the beloved “Purple and White,” was broadcast over local radio station WDOX, now WNGL 1410 AM. In May 1931, at the 101st Annual Commencement, Hynes was awarded the Joseph Block Memorial Medal for Proficiency in Music. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1933, and then completed his graduate studies at Georgetown Law School. He served in the Navy during World War II and practiced law in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he raised
his family. A copy of the fight song remained on the piano bench in the Hynes household, according to his daughter, Mary Anne Hynes Frenzel. Hynes passed away in February 1985. Over the years, many of his family members also attended Spring Hill. Since 1930, variations of the song have been used on campus with an official adaptation — pulling from the original lyrics — shortening the song to give it more of a modern “fight song” feel in 2015. With this version, the legacy of the “Purple and White” lives on.
Visit shc.edu/purpleandwhite to learn more about Hynes. www.shc.edu
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ALUMNI News why i give Annual Giving Spring Hill College alumni have always
helped to shape the student experience on The Hill through their generosity and immersion in the mission of the college. Many of our alumni build a special legacy by making a gift every year. Regardless of size, those gifts grow in partnership with other alumni and friends to make a lasting impact on current and future students. When asked about their motivation to give to the College for 33 consecutive years, Joan and Tom Siegwald ’69 were quick to answer: “Spring Hill College has given us so much. Some years it’s more than others,” Joan added, but said giving helps them remain close to the College. Like so many other loyal alumni, The Hill is their alma mater but also home to many of the memories they’ve shared with family, friends, co-workers and their community of faith. Those memories are rekindled each time they visit and their generosity shapes opportunities for current Spring Hill students.
Joan and Tom Siegwald ’69 consider St. Joseph Chapel their favorite spot, but if you take a stroll with them across Spring Hill’s campus, there are memories at every turn — like this spot between Deignan Hall and Walsh Hall where Tom proposed 49 years ago.
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Generosity Multiplied Often when alumni, parents and friends monetarily support Spring Hill College, their employer will match the donation, doubling the impact of the employee’s gift. Matching gift programs not only encourage employees to contribute to charitable organizations, they provide much needed funding for important programs, scholarships, equipment and other necessities across campus. These matching gifts are a wonderful way to help the College bridge the gap between tuition and the actual cost of educating students on The Hill. In June, representatives from ExxonMobil delivered a check to President Christopher P. Puto, PhD ‘64, for $24,675 as part of the ExxonMobil Foundation’s Educational Matching Gift Program. The ExxonMobil Foundation matches three-to-one all gifts made by the company’s employees, retirees, directors and surviving spouses. “The energy sector is a vital element in our region’s economy and there is incredible meaning behind matching gifts of this nature,” Puto said. “We are so thankful for ExxonMobil employees and their foundation for their generosity to Spring Hill College.” Spring Hill College is fortunate to have the generous support of companies like ExxonMobil and the employees who make this matching gift possible. To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, visit shc.edu/giving/maximize.
ALUMNI NEWS | Alumni Spotlight
NAAB President Angele Davis talks faith, service and how spring hill prepared her for success Meet Angele Davis, President of the Spring Hill College National Alumni Association Board (NAAB) and member of the College’s Board of Trustees. A graduate of the Class of 1990, she is a dedicated public servant, a leader in her community and mom to a seven-year old. Davis attended Spring Hill on a basketball scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. She credits her educational and spiritual journey at Spring Hill College with providing an extraordinary foundation for what would later become a lifelong commitment of service to others. After graduation, Davis earned a Master of Business Administration at Louisiana State University and went on to serve as Louisiana’s Commissioner of Administration, Chief Financial Officer to the Governor and Chief Administrative Officer for the State. She entered the private sector when she founded The Davis Kelley Group, where she serves as the President and CEO, leading the firm’s operations and working with clients to solve complex strategic and operational problems. “Spring Hill College gave me the opportunity to become a leader and serve others while pursuing my education. My time on The Hill helped me to build upon and nurture my Catholic faith and continued to strengthen my relationship with God. The faculty gave me the knowledge and experience to succeed professionally — to become a responsible leader in service to others — this foundation prepared me well for my career in public service,”
Davis said. Perhaps the greatest example of Davis’ characteristic leadership in service to others is her work with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, a journey that began when she and her husband adopted their son through the organization seven years ago. She fell in love with Catholic Charities’ mission to build families through adoption and worked to give back by expanding Sanctuary for Life, a haven for pregnant, unmarried women living on the streets. With Davis’ help, the organization doubled their capacity to care for these women in a home that keeps them and their unborn babies safe while providing medical care, social services and counseling. When floods devastated southeast Louisiana last year, Davis was serving as chair of the Catholic Charities Board. Hundreds of thousands of families’ homes were flooded and many lost everything. Davis was instrumental in the disaster recovery efforts as Catholic Charities responded by coordinating volunteers and warehouse spaces, accepting and distributing donations and providing disaster case management services to those in need. She also rolled up her sleeves to gut houses and help her community recover from overwhelming loss. Davis’ dedication to her community – both professionally and privately – is an example of what happens on The Hill each day. She said, “For me, Spring Hill College was an excellent choice for my spiritual and academic growth and for my career success. Hopefully, it will become a family tradition!”
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ALUMNI NEWS | Chapter Updates
BIRMINGHAM
The Birmingham chapter enjoyed a Mardi Gras party at El Barrio Restaurante Y Bar.
BATON ROUGE
In February, the Baton Rouge chapter gathered at Neil ‘06 and Aracely ‘05 Favre’s home for a crawfish boil.
DALLAS
In August, alumni, parents of students and incoming freshman gathered for a senior send-off before students left for The Hill.
In March, the Baton Rouge chapter held the annual Ignatian Retreat at the Tracey Center along with Rev. Greg Lucey, SJ.
MEMPHIS
The Memphis chapter gathered at Owen Brennan’s for their Mardi Gras party.
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see more photos at www.facebook.com/SHCNationalAlums
MOBILE
In February, the Mobile chapter enjoyed a Mardi Gras parade from the balcony of Hargrove Engineers and Constructors.
ST. LOUIS
In April, the St. Louis chapter held their service day at the Little Bit Foundation.
NEW ORLEANS
The New Orleans chapter celebrated Mardi Gras at the home of Billy ‘89 and Amy ‘90 King.
WASHINGTON D.C.
The Washington D.C. chapter partnered with the KEYS for the Homeless Foundation for their service day.
NEW YORK
In June, the New York chapter had a crawfish boil at Claw Daddy’s.
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ALUMNI NEWS | Alumni Spotlight
The Jesuit influence Jennifer Scalici, MD, graduated from Spring Hill College in 1999 with a degree in Chemistry and, without realizing it at the time, she absorbed the Jesuit educational experience. Over the years, this has impacted her perspective and helped guide her path toward medicine and cancer research. “Looking back, I can clearly see the Jesuit influence specific to SHC every step of the way, and it is intimately woven into the fabric of who I am,” Scalici said. “My journey to this point has been absolutely what I needed it to be.” This journey has gotten her where she is today: with a career in academic medicine as a Physician-Scientist, a practicing Gynecologic Oncology Physician, Associate Professor of Clinical Oncology at the University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute (USA MCI) and Director of USA MCI’s Basic/Translational Gynecologic Oncology Research. While at Spring Hill, she questioned and re-examined her dedication to medicine. This time confirmed her desire to work in medicine and helped her prepare for her medical education journey. “Spring Hill College taught me discernment. It taught me to be quiet. It taught me to listen. It taught me to analyze and approach problems critically, candidly and openly as they are opportunities to learn,” she said. “The rest I give to the people who supported me in the process.” She attended medical school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, trained at Northwestern University in Chicago and completed fellowship training at the University of Virginia. She then interviewed at USA MCI at the encouragement of a fellow Badger. Outside of treating patients and teaching, Scalici is involved in national societies for gynecologic oncology and cancer research and sits on a committee that evaluates new cancer prevention ideas and methods. Most recently, her team received a grant through the Department of Defense research program to test an ovarian cancer prevention therapy that was developed at USA MCI. Her team is also working to understand the racial disparity in cancer
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treatment outcomes. Scalici has continued her relationship with Spring Hill College as a member of the Board of Trustees since 2013. “My hope from my time on the Board is to preserve and maybe even enhance the transformational experience that SHC provides students,” she said. She also wants to challenge other alumni to reflect on their own Spring Hill experiences. “Without the tools that SHC provided me, I don’t think that I would have the same sense of peace and fulfillment that I am doing what I am meant to be doing,” she said.
ALUMNI NEWS | Class Notes
1950s
Mary Williams ’59 has published “My Ray Bradbury Collection,” the result of a decade-long search for first editions and memorabilia by science fiction and fantasy writer Ray Bradbury.
1960s
Joan DeGuire North ‘64 served as Dean of the College of Professional Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point from 1985 to 2010. In November 2016, the University honored North with Joan North Place, a new campus space that celebrates the college’s alumni, students and history. Stafford Betty ’64, Religious Studies Professor at California State University, Bakersfield, published “When Did You Ever Become Less by Dying? Afterlife: The Evidence” in July 2016. Mim Bullock ‘69 has retired and is now living in Rancho Santa Fe, California.
1970s
Richard W. Moore ‘74 was nominated by President Donald J. Trump and is now one of Alabama’s three U.S. attorneys. Moore has served as the Inspector General for the Tennessee Valley Authority since May 2003 when he was appointed by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the United States Senate. Taylor Henry ’79 recently earned a Juris Doctor from the David A. Clarke School
of Law at the University of Washington D.C. at the age of 59. The veteran CNN Overseas Correspondent and duPont Award winning television journalist currently serves as Director of Public Affairs and Media Relations for the Washington-based Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, which endorses priests to serve as U.S. Military chaplains and provides pastoral care for the more than 300,000 Catholics and their families serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces worldwide. Among his other duties, Henry produces videos, hosts podcasts and writes news articles for the global archdiocese. In addition to his JD, Henry holds a master’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Alabama and bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy and English from Spring Hill College.
1980s
James Matera ‘83 of New Jersey is a doctor by day and a chef in his spare time. Matera competed on Food Network’s Cooks Vs. Cons in January 2017 and won $10,000. Bobby Phillips ’84 is Professor of Political Science at the American University in Bulgaria. Phillips creates a student-centered learning environment where students from diverse, international backgrounds can explore issues, find common ground and build sustainable solutions for the global community.
Karen Johnson ‘85, Account Manager with Hederman Brothers Printing in Gluckstadt, Mississippi, recently received the American Advertising Federation (AAF) District 7 Otis Dodge Memorial Award, which annually recognizes an AAF District 7 member for outstanding contributions and leadership in local, district and national activities. The Honorable M. Lauren Lemmon ’85 was presented with the 2017 Glass Honoree Award at the 2017 annual Loyola University New Orleans College of Law Cocktail Reception. The Law Alumni Board issues this prestigious award annually to an individual who has volunteered service to the College of Law or has furthered the cause of the college or its alumni association. Art Estopinan ‘87 has been named Vice President of International Affairs for Sexton’s Creek, a consulting and strategic communications firm with offices in Washington, D.C. and Indianapolis.
1990s
Martin D. Beirne III ‘91 of Houston, has been named CEO of VRC Technologies. Amy Parsons ’93 and Dave Free were married Nov. 26, 2016. Shayla Jones Beaco ‘97 of Mobile, Alabama, was recognized as the National Catholic Education Association’s Distinguished Graduate at her alma mater, Corpus Christi Catholic School.
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ALUMNI NEWS | Class Notes
Delvin D. Seawright, PhD ‘99, Assistant Professor of Accounting at Lamar, was chosen as the 2016-17 Professor of the Year by the Lamar University Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma International Honor Society. He was also awarded the 2016-17 Faculty Research Award by the Southeast Texas Chapter of the Texas Society of CPAs.
2000s
Michaela Guzy ’01 is a former publishing executive. She left her career behind to begin a journey that has since changed her life and touched others. Her blog and video series, OhThePeopleYouMeet, shares her passion for global connections through sustainable and immersive travel. Guzy’s passion is helping to shape the tourism industry worldwide. Brendan Lane ‘02 and Liz Easton were married on Dec. 31, 2016, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in St. Louis. Kate Browning ‘05 and Phillip Dekeyser were married Jan. 21, 2017, at St. Joseph Chapel and reside in Mobile, Alabama. Meredith Guzy ‘06 has returned to Mobile, Alabama, and joined Visit Mobile as the Digital Marketing Manager. Conor Gee ‘07 and Becky Gee welcomed a daughter, Margaret Louise Gee, on July 14, 2017 at 11:54 p.m. Timmie Ackels Hathorn ‘07 has accepted a position as Assistant Director of External and Alumni Relations at the SMU Meadows
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School of the Arts. Mary Elizabeth (McGinn) Davis ‘07 is now Director of Creative Services for McNeely Pigott & Fox Public Relations in Nashville, Tennessee. Julie (Anderson) Goolsby ‘08, Customer Sales Executive for the Hershey Company, has been elected to the Board of the Alabama Grocers Association. Jonathan Baynham ‘09 of New Orleans, is the new Program Manager at The Brown Foundation Service Learning Program. Baynham will work to promote, develop and assist service learning projects throughout southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi counties. Baynham and Chrissy (Gregg) Baynham are expecting their first child this October.
2010s
Kaiesha Ford ‘10 of Mobile, Alabama, is now a Technical Manager at CGA, Inc. Kelsey Anbuhl ‘11 received her PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Colorado Anshutz School of Medicine and will start a postdoctoral fellowship at New York University to further her studies in Neuroscience in October. Jacqueline Hawkins ‘11 married Hardy Demeranville on Nov. 19, 2016, at the Sacred Heart Chapel in Battles Wharf, Alabama. Michael Lysek, MD ‘11 is now a Resident Physician at Brookwood Baptist Health in Birmingham, Alabama. Payton Tanner ‘13 has accepted a position with Georgetown
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University’s School of Foreign Service as the Coordinator of Admissions and Student-Alumni Engagement for the Center of Security Studies. John Paul Espinosa ‘14 is now Assistant Director of Admissions at Spring Hill College. Britney Finley ‘14 is now the Assistant Director of Financial Aid in the Office of Student Financial Services at Spring Hill College. Bridget Oswald ’14 is now Assistant Director of Direct Marketing for the Office of Development & External Affairs at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Shea (Blanchard) McDaniel ‘15 former Spring Hill Softball Graduate Assistant Coach is now an Admissions Counselor at Spring Hill College. Taylor Russ ‘15 is now an Admissions Counselor for Spring Hill College. Conner Bueche ‘16 is now Special Assistant at the Office of the Secretary of Defense in Washington D.C. Gabrielle Smith ’17 is now a Theology teacher at St. Michael’s Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama. She graduated with two degrees from Spring Hill College, one in Theology, the other in Hispanic Studies, and was honored by the school as the top student in both majors. She was Prefect of Sodality at the College, which encouraged women to deepen their Catholic faith, organizing opportunities for service, formation, social gatherings and
ALUMNI NEWS | In Memoriam
adoration of the Eucharist. She was President of the Spring Hill Awakening program, which organized retreats for students. She’s been deeply committed to service, volunteering for various homeless ministries, St. Mary’s Home for teen girls and teaching in ESL programs for immigrant children. She’s been a Sacristan for daily Mass at St. Joseph Chapel. For all of these reasons, Spring Hill College named her the recipient of the “Ad Majorem Dei Glorium” Award, given to a student or faculty member who best exemplifies Jesuit ideals in word and deed. Quendarius Roberts ‘17 is now an Admissions Counselor for Spring Hill College. He has been a Springhillian Ambassador and Intern with the Office of Admissions for past 2 years. John-Michael Rogers ‘17, former Spring Hill Student Government Association Vice President, is now an Admissions Counselor at Spring Hill College.
Visit shc.edu/ alumnispotlight to read more stories of Spring Hill alumni. we want to hear from you! Please let us know what you’re up to. Email your news and photos to alumni@shc.edu or submit your Class Note online at www.shc.edu/alumni.
In Memoriam Joseph P. Shannon ‘42
Carl A. Torbert Jr. ‘58
Rev. Oren W. Key, SJ ‘46
Dr. L. Mulry Tetlow ‘59
Eugene W. Jennings ‘43 Robert Willett ‘47 Frank G. Cox ‘48
Oscar F. Johansen ‘48
Rev. Claude P. Boudreaux, SJ ‘49 John A. Calametti Jr. ‘50 William S. Doolan ‘50 Louis J. Knowles ‘50
Lawrence L. Cleary ‘59 Dr. Paul F. Jurgensen ‘60
Thomas S. Millette Sr. ‘60 Thomas P. Whelehan ‘60 C. J. Louisell Jr. ‘61 R. T. Schneider ‘61
Richard F. Sullivan Jr. ‘61 Maj. Gen. (Ret) Dennis P.
James P. Martin ‘50
Harvell B. Taylor ‘50
Warren F. O’Rourke ‘63
Dr. Andrew K. Martinolich ‘50 Anthony L. Halsema ‘51 Joseph Honovich ‘51
Stova F. McFadden ‘51
Jerome A. Frederick ‘52
Dr. Robert J. Saxer Jr. ‘53
Maj. Kenneth J. Skipper ‘53 Charles J. B. Delage ‘54
Gayford L. Hinton Jr. ‘54 Frank L. Lynam ‘54
Patricia L. Vincent ‘54
Rev. David C. Borbridge, SJ ‘55 James J. Egan Jr. ‘55
John P. Matthews Jr. ‘55 Ellis V. Ollinger Jr. ‘55 Donald R. Smith ‘55
Matthew A. McGuire ‘56
Servando H. Mendez ‘56 Francis L. Poole ‘56
Shelby D. St. Martin ‘56 Ethel P. Catranis ‘57
Deacon Gordon Kenny ‘57 Lt. Col. (Ret) Thomas L.
McKinstry ‘57
William M. Morgan III ‘57 James E. Schulte ‘57 Pat P. Barr ‘58
Thomas P. Power ‘58
Dr. B. Clifford Pringle Jr. ‘58 George E. Robison Jr. ‘58
Malcor ‘62
James M. Lane ‘63
James R. Young ‘63
William H. Garvie ‘64
Kathleen K. Glenn ‘64 John A. Toepke ‘64 Mary T. Bryant ‘65
F. Joseph Wagner ‘65 Richard D. Youd ‘65
Thomas P. Doyle ‘66
Barbara B. Whaley ‘66
Margaret G. Jones ‘67
Walter S. Maestri III ‘67
Dr. Warren S. Mathey ‘67
Theodore M. Brennan ‘69 Marie L. Schwing ‘69
Dr. Gerard P. Galle ‘74 Carlos J. Cuervo ‘75 Julianne S. Terry ‘76
Theodore Peasant Jr. ‘77
Dr. Richmond F. Brown ‘83 Dr. Mark A. Mussell ‘83 Robert A. Melvin III ‘85
John G. DeRussy Jr. ‘93 Lynn S. Dubuisson ‘96
Vernon W. McGary ‘96 Scott Stevens ‘00
Rev. Anna M. Butterbaugh ‘02 Elizabeth E. Holton ‘04 Jeffrey L. Mullins ‘06
Oscar T. Beverly Jr. ‘07
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ALUMNI NEWS | Alumni Spotlight
On the frontlines Spring Hill College alumni change the world around them everywhere they go. From serving underrepresented populations in local communities to greeting refugees on the shores of Italy, Badgers are making a global impact by fulfilling the mission of Spring Hill College. Dana Wilder ’17 is one such alumna — a recent graduate who assisted refugees landing in Brindisi, Italy, through an internship with the Spring Hill College Italy Center. While many college seniors struggle with what to do after their final walk down the Avenue of the Oaks, Wilder departed The Hill with a plan for how to make a difference in the world. Wilder unearthed a calling while studying abroad at the SHC Italy Center during her junior year of college. She explains, “The SHC Italy Center removed the glazed lens and showed us the raw world, both good and bad, beautiful and ugly. That set the spark within me. I saw that I could make a difference through service.” When the Italy Center directors established an internship program, they knew Wilder would be a great fit to begin this unique and revolutionary program upon her graduation. After prayerful consideration, she said “yes.” Throughout the internship, Wilder assisted local activists at the Caritas community, an international Catholic agency that serves the poor and promotes charity throughout the world. There, she helped provide daily meals and various forms of assistance to migrants and low-income Italians. She spent the rest of her time with CARA, an identification center for immigrants seeking to stay in Italy or obtain political refugee status. These immigrants arrive without documents and Wilder, along with a team of psychologists, interpreters, cultural mediators, language teachers and legal facilitators, helped to
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meet their needs upon their entrance to Europe. Wilder’s time on the frontlines was filled with the learning experiences that come from comforting a child whose brother did not make it through the long journey at sea; seeing young men with the skin on their legs peeling from the severe burns incurred while their boat was in flames; and watching people in town look upon these men, women and children as if they were not human. She saw personhood in its purest, rawest forms, and her hope is that people everywhere will begin to look for it too — to treat others with respect, regardless of circumstance. Wilder believes that the most natural way to understand the refugee crisis is through human connection and experience. She said that, though being able to serve others doesn’t require a college degree or specific skills, she is grateful to Spring Hill College’s commitment to education and the Jesuit tradition of learning not what to think, but how to think. “By staying educated,” she explained, “we can better serve others.” Wilder’s experiences propel her forward as she discerns her future. She remembers standing at the Brindisi port, watching with tears in her eyes as 402 migrants arrived and descended from the boat. She remarked, “These are moments that overwhelm me with the feeling of God looking down on me, reminding me that I am on the correct path of doing His will. I am constantly seeking more moments like this.” For more insight into Wilder’s summer internship with the SHC Italy Center, you can read her blog at www.thechameleontale.com or follow along on Instagram @thechameleontale.
BADGER News Athletics Retains Provisional NCAA Membership Status On Sept. 8, 2017, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) notified President Christopher P. Puto, PhD ‘64, that Spring Hill College has been granted an additional year within the provisional period during the 2017-18 academic year. Spring Hill will thus continue its status as a Provisional Member of NCAA Division II for another year as the College works to complete its membership transition. “Gaining full Division II membership – our ultimate goal – will be the culmination of years of outstanding work by coaches, administration and campus-wide colleagues on behalf of our student-athletes,” said Puto. “Because of their diligent work, our student-athletes and the SHC community as a whole are now positioned for an exceptional intercollegiate athletic experience for decades to come.” The Provisional Membership year is the third and final year of the NCAA candidacy process. During the 2017-18 academic year, the 16 Spring Hill College varsity athletic programs making the Division II transition will continue to play full slates of Division II conference and non-conference
regular season competition, but will remain ineligible for NCAA or conference post-season competition. “I am very happy for our student-athletes and athletic staff who have worked diligently over the last four years of our membership transition,” said Director of Athletics Jim Hall. “We are thrilled to be given the opportunity to finish what we started and continue the positive momentum our transition to the NCAA has generated.” The College will undergo a Compliance Blueprint Review conducted by the NCAA during the fall of 2017 and will submit an annual membership report to the Division II Membership Committee prior to June 1, 2018. The Membership Committee will review the annual report along with the results of the compliance review and then vote on whether to advance Spring Hill to active membership status for the 2018-19 academic year. Active status signals the completion of Spring Hill’s membership transition process and would allow The Badgers to begin participating in conference and NCAA postseason competition.
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BADGER NEWS
Sims Inducted into ALABCA Hall of Fame
In December, the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association (ALABCA) inducted Baseball Head Coach Frank Sims into the ALABCA Hall of Fame at its annual banquet in Birmingham. “It’s really both an exciting and humbling thing to have happen to you,” said Sims upon hearing of his selection. “When you get into coaching you don’t set a
goal of being in a Hall of Fame. You just want to work with the players and try to win as many games as you can, so while it’s nice to be recognized it’s really more about the young men who have played the game. They are ones who have to go out and do the things on and off the field that it takes to win. “I’m so proud of the accomplishments we’ve had at Spring Hill, and we’ve come a long way since 1985,” said Sims. “I want to thank Spring Hill College and everyone who has been a part of this program.” Sims became the head coach of the Badgers with just three weeks remaining in the 1985 season and has since won 851 games. Over his 36 years as a collegiate head coach, he has accumulated 887 total victories.
Sims holds the record for most career victories at Spring Hill and his tenure with SHC includes 24 20-win seasons, six 30-win seasons, two 40-win seasons and four conference championships. Spring Hill appeared in the NAIA Regional Tournament four times in his reign and Sims has been honored as a Conference Coach of the Year on five occasions with the latest time being the 2014 Independent Collegiate Athletic Association (ICAA) honor in NCAA Division II. During Spring Hill’s 2015 NCAA Division II transition season, the Badgers rang up a perfect 16-0 mark in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and a 26-14 record overall. In 2017, the Badgers topped the SIAC for the third consecutive year with a 17-4 conference record.
Paesano Chosen to Head Badger Cheer, Dance In April, Director of Athletics Jim Hall announced the hiring of Alyssa Paesano as the school’s Head Coach for Cheer and Dance. “I am honored and thrilled to accept the position of head cheer and dance coach at Spring Hill College,” Paesano said. “I look forward to becoming a part of the Spring Hill family, getting to know the members of the spirit program
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and ultimately continuing to build a strong and reputable program that the student body, staff and community will all be proud of. I would like to thank all the staff who have taken the time to talk with me and have been so kind and helpful throughout this process, especially Jim Hall and President Puto.” Paesano coached with the Marist College Red Foxes in Poughkeepsie, New York, in 2016 and has coached at the youth level with the North Salem Youth Rec Team in 2006-11 and Take One Cheerleading Academy in 2007-10. An American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA) Certified coach, Paesano holds a degree in Design and Technical Theatre with a minor in Business Fundamentals from the University of Connecticut.
Guthrie and Foster Picked to Lead Badger Softball 3rd Annual Arthur R. Outlaw Memorial Golf Classic
On Friday, Sept. 22, the Spring Hill College Department of Athletics celebrated the 3rd annual Arthur R. Outlaw Memorial Golf Classic at the Spring Hill Golf Course with 16 teams battling for the crown while raising over $8,000 to benefit the SHC Athletic Department. The BB&T Bank team took first place overall in the tournament with a final score of 55 (17 under par) and the Dollar General Bowl team finished second with a 13-under score of 59. In the Second Flight, Team C-Spire finished first and Team Jesuitlit was the runner-up. Participants included Spring Hill College President Christopher P. Puto, PhD ‘64, and Director of Athletics Jim Hall as well as Badger head coaches Frank Sims, Aaron Niven, Ben Hoefs and Peggy Martin. “We had another great turnout this year for our golf event,” said Hall. “This event provides the funding for our end of the year Varsity Awards Banquet and the graduating senior student-athlete stoles worn at graduation. I want to thank all of the participants for helping us enhance our student-athletes’ experience.”
In July, the College named Joe Guthrie as the Head Coach of the Badger softball team. Guthrie is just the third head coach in the history of the Spring Hill softball program that began in 1998. He inherits a team that has enjoyed significant success in its career, especially over the past five seasons, when it has built a 197-68 overall record including an 86-18 mark in conference play. Guthrie comes to Spring Hill from the Bucknell University softball staff in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. He spent the 2017 season as a volunteer assistant coach under Bison Softball Head Coach and his wife, Courtnay Foster, assisting in all aspects of offense, outfield play, player development and camps. In August, Foster was named the Spring Hill Softball Assistant Coach and Department of Athletics Senior Woman Administrator. Foster guided the Bisons to a 50-43 record during her time with the team and developed All-Patriot League pitchers in 2016 and 2017. In all, Foster had four players combine for five All-Patriot League awards at Bucknell with four players voted to the Academic AllPatriot League Team. Prior to his year at Bucknell, Guthrie spent the previous three seasons as an Assistant Coach at Penn State University (PSU) of the Big Ten Conference. While at PSU, he oversaw hitters and outfielders as well as serving as the program’s Recruiting Coordinator. During the 2014 to 2016 seasons, Penn State hitters broke over 30 school, Big Ten and NCAA records while their win totals improved from 14 in 2014 to 30 in 2016. PSU finished 36th nationally in batting average in 2016 as well as third best in the Big Ten conference. “I am extremely honored and humbled to become the next head softball coach at Spring Hill College,” Guthrie said. “I would like to thank Jim Hall and President Puto for allowing me this incredible opportunity. As an Alabama native, it is a dream come true to do what you love at such a well-respected institution. Our goal is to build champions prepared to be ‘one of the few’ in life.”
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IN THEIR WORDS
Mary Dolan ‘06
Meg Demeranville ‘01
“My experiences with the Foley Center have greatly impacted the career choice I made. Overall, the experience had a far greater impact on my life and career trajectory than I initially imagined. Thank you for that. ”
“The Foley Center ensured I knew the importance of doing for others. I serve on nonprofit boards that work directly with the community and volunteer my time because of my work with the Foley Center. “ Renee Cherry ‘15 “My Foley Center work is the reason why I’m a teacher today. It is important to me because it helped me choose the right path for my life.” Shayla Jones Beaco ‘97
Phillip Travis ’16 “I think the leadership came out in me from my experience with the Foley Center and Spring Hill College. As a site coordinator, I had more responsibility, but I always let them know I was there to listen. It was more than just tutoring.”
“The Foley Center’s commitment to servant leadership instilled a sense of individual purpose and civic responsibility that continues on in my life, both personally and professionally. The academic opportunities and real-world experiences afforded through Spring Hill’s Foley Center taught me the importance of service, faith and leadership.”
John-Michael Rogers ‘17
“Service work of this sort not only enables us to give our time, energy and effort to those who need us, but in the process of doing service work, we develop a sense of vocation, which gives us the opportunity to put our personal problems into perspective.”
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Derrick Robbins ’17 “Working with the Foley Center really sparked my passion to work with kids. I saw a lot of myself in the kids at Chastang. When they saw I came from a similar background as them, they saw me as a role model.” Bridget Mulroy ‘07
“I felt challenged to discover gifts within myself that could be shared, while realizing I was the true recipient of blessings from those I had been asked to serve. The mutuality of these relationships and discovering our need for one another is a lesson I have continued to carry with me not only in my work, but in my daily encounters with people and situations that are new and different from me.”
You Shape the Spring Hill Experience! THE SPRING HILL COLLEGE FUND
Now that the Spring Hill College Class of 2017 has departed from The Hill, I realize how important it is that I was encouraged to discover my own path and challenged to shape the world around me. As a proud alumnus, I will continue to advance the tradition of excellence in education at Spring Hill and ask you to do the same. Together, we will continue to shape the Spring Hill experience. Joe Crapanzano ’17 SGA President 2016-17 Visit shc.edu/shapetheexperience to make your gift.
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